Why does God test His followers?

James 1:2-4 (ESV) 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1 Peter 1:7 (NLT) These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

In 2011, one author states that, “In tight economies, in down seasons, God often allows families to go through lean times, testing their faith and discovering where their trust and priorities really are. These are the dark moments when courageous husbands and fathers must battle through their insecurities, fears, and feelings of desperation to continue offering the provisional leadership their families need, even as they scrimp and save. God knows what is in a man’s heart, and He will not fail to provide opportunities for us to physically care for our families as we seek Him. His promise to His children is that ‘God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:19)…Circumstances are irrelevant when it comes to being a provider. Even in times of high unemployment and a poor economy, God expects us to fulfill our obligations, and He will help us to be found faithful if we will seek His help. Sometimes He will intentionally allow difficult financial circumstances to force us to our knees so He can turn them around as a platform to show us His power and love. But in every season, in every situation, and in every sense of the word, men of courage are men who provide for their families. Resolve to provide well for yours!” (From the book: The Resolution for Men, pp. 158-159; 166-167).

Testing for Obedience
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
06-11-2013
"Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind" (Ps. 26:2).
Throughout the Old Testament, we see many situations in which God tests His people in order to determine if they will follow Him or follow the systems of this world.
The nation of Israel was tested many times during the 40-year sojourn in the wilderness: "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands" (Deut. 8:2).
You might ask, "Why does God need to test us? Doesn't He know everything, including what we would do in every situation?" Yes, God knows - but we don't know ourselves! God doesn't test us in order to find out something He doesn't already know. He tests us so that we can learn about ourselves and His love, power and faithfulness.
In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Isaac was Abraham's only son by his wife Sarah - the son God had promised to Abraham. By demanding that Isaac be sacrificed, God seemed to be nullifying His covenant of making a great nation of Abraham. How could God's promise be fulfilled if Isaac was dead?
God tested Abraham to reveal whether or not Abraham truly trusted His promise. Yes, God knew what Abraham would do, but He wanted Abraham to know as well. So God put Abraham to the test, and Abraham passed. As Abraham raised the knife to sacrifice his own son, God stopped him and provided a sacrificial ram instead.
Every test involves obedience in one way or another. When God tests us, He reveals the true state of our hearts. Are we obedient to His will, or are we self-willed? We might think we know the answer, but we would never truly know unless we were tested.
Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.
 
Will you pass the test the first time as Abraham did…or will it require some retakes? God will work in our lives till He knows that our faith and trust are in Him completely (unwavering). Let’s pass the test early and often.
Practicing His Presence,
Nate